New Testament Greek: A Beginning and Intermediate Grammar
Overview
For over 20 years, first-year Greek students have relied on James Allen Hewett’s New Testament Greek: A Beginning and Intermediate Grammar for its straightforward approach to the fundamentals of language study. Now completely revised and updated, this trusted grammar will provide a new generation of beginning scholars with a solid foundation for doing translation, exegesis, and biblical interpretation.
New Testament Greek clearly presents complex Greek grammatical concepts in terms of familiar English grammar. Each concept is then illustrated using multiple examples from the New Testament, and students apply their learning with translation exercises drawn directly from biblical text instead of artificial sentences created by grammarians.
Features include:
- New chapters providing a foundational understanding of the basic components of language
- A linguistically informed chapter on how languages communicate meaning
- Detailed explanations of complex grammatical constructions that shed light on biblical meanings
- Grammatical discussions that reflect recent advances in the understanding of Greek tense and case
- Vocabulary study lists based on NT word frequency
- Greek-to-English translation exercises that help students quickly build competency and confidence
- Optional “Step Beyond” advanced grammar sections and English-to-Greek translation exercises
- Expanded reference appendixes, including summary word charts, vocabulary lists, and a list of principal parts of common verbs
- A dictionary of all the Greek words used in the text
In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Scripture citations link directly to English translations, and important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.
- Offers an Introductory volume on biblical Greek
- Aids in translation, exegesis, and biblical interpretation
- Provides material that can be a resource for further study and practice
- Enhaces learning by taking exercises directly form biblical text
- Traditional Components of Grammar
- Meaning
- Alphabet, Orthography, and Punctuation
- Verbal System: Primary Active Endings and Tenses, Indicative Mood
- Nominal and Abstracts Systems: Second Declension; the Verb
εἰμί - Nominal System: First Declension; Conditional Sentences
- Nominal System: Personal and Relative Pronouns
- Nominal System: Demonstrative and Reflexive Pronouns
- Structural Word System: Prepositions; Compound Verbs;
ὅτι - Verbal System: Secondary Active Ending sand Tenses; Imperfect Tense; Imperfect of
εἰμί ; Second-Class Conditional Sentences with the Imperfect; Abstracts System: Adverbs - Verbal System: Aorist Tense, Active and Passive Voices
- Verbal System: Perfect and Pluperfect Active; Second-Class Conditional Sentences with the Aorist
- Verbal System: Primary Middle Endings, Indicative Mood; Deponent Verbs; Future of
εἰμί ; Nominal System:Reciprocal Pronouns - Verbal System: Secondary-Tense Endings for Middle/Passive Voice, Indicative Mood
- Nominal System: Third-Declension Masculine and Feminine Nouns; Interrogative and Indefinite Pronouns
- Nominal and Abstracts Systems: Third-Declension Neuter Nouns; Adjectives and Numerals
- Verbal System: Contract Verbs; Liquid Verbs; Abstracts System: Comparative and Superlative Forms
- Verbal System:
-μι Verbs - Participles; Formation of Participles
- Functions of Participles: Adjectival
- Functions of Participles: Adverbial and Complementary; Genitive Absolute; Periphrastic Tenses
- Verbal System: The Subjunctive Mood
- Verbal System: Infinitives; Indirect Discourse
- Verbal System: Imperative Mood; Optative Mood; Fourth-Class Conditional Sentences
- Nominal System: Uses pf the Genitive, Dative, and Accusative Cases
Top Highlights
“A sound that has a possible grammatical meaning is called a morpheme” (Page 1)
“transitive, which means that they are incomplete without a direct object” (Page 4)
“The object of a preposition (ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ = in heaven; ἑκ τοῦ πόλεως = out of the city) may be in the genitive, dative, or accusative case, depending upon the thought being expressed by the author (see p. 2, Words; p. 8, Prepositions).” (Page 72)
“present active, future active, aorist active, perfect active, perfect middle/passive, and aorist passive” (Page 90)
“the subject is doing the action but is in some way in the middle of the action as well.” (Page 5)
This revision is one of the better grammars of New Testament Greek on the market. . . . The material presented is comprehensive in scope and much more detailed than other grammars. . . . Each chapter ends with an abundance of translation exercises, many drawn from the New Testament, to give students practice in using the grammatical concepts introduced in the current and preceding chapters. . . . This revision of Hewett’s grammar contains some important new features. There are additional tables, charts, and examples, including the addition of a table of abbreviations at the beginning of the book. There is a greatly expanded use of Scripture verses as examples. This is an important feature lacking in many introductory grammars. . . . The most notable additions are the two new introductory chapters that precede the chapter on the alphabet. . . . An admirable work that would make a good text for a New Testament Greek course.
—Review of Biblical Literature
Teachers of New Testament Greek may want to consider this new text. Two professor colleagues of the original author Hewett, C. Michael Robbins and Steven R. Johnson, have provided a thoroughly revised and expanded version of his introductory textbook on New Testament Greek, first published in 1986. The authors take a classic and thorough approach, leading the student reader through the various components of grammar, the mysteries of the alphabet, and then step-by-step acquaintance with the necessary forms and structures of the language—all the while building vocabulary.
—The Bible Today
Linguists, biblical scholars, and students of religious studies have varying motives for learning Koine Greek; however, all will benefit from James Allen Hewett’s New Testament Greek. This text, revised and expanded from his 1986 edition with the assistance of C. Michael Robbins and Steven R. Johnson, addresses the changing needs of today’s students and recent discussions regarding Greek grammar. While most grammars are traditionally written for classroom use, this text can be used by the self-motivating individual who wants to learn Koine. The three introductory chapters of this 25-chapter text contain two completely new sections that provide basic background and learning tools enabling students to begin language study, such as extensive grammar background, meaning, orthography, and alphabet. Each chapter focuses on a grammar component. . . . Examples and exercises utilize scripture passages. Five appendixes contain complete declension and conjugation tables, Greek to English vocabulary, English to Greek vocabulary, and principal parts of common verbs. An index of subjects and an index of scripture and Greek literature used in the text are included. Unlocking the key of any sacred text is challenging. When the sacred text is in a foreign language the reader either accepts translations or embarks upon learning the language. Hewett’s well-written and easy-to-use grammar enables the reader to undertake the latter. Public, academic, and theological libraries should have this title on their shelves.
—Libraries Unlimited
The book has many good features: the authors recognize that words have areas of meaning and transferred uses, incorporating this insight into vocabularies and the key to exercises. A variety of elements is introduced in most chapters rather than a single grammatical figure, and syntax is presented sensitively as the student progresses. Students are made aware of -mi verbs early on rather than finding them a nasty shock at the end; good use is made of New Testament phrases and sentences in the exercises. Accents are introduced gradually. . . . I would . . . recommend this book for able students and those with previous linguistic experience.
—Journal for the Study of the New Testament
James Allen Hewett (PhD, University of Manchester), a pastor with a strong background in language education, has taught Greek at Uganda Christian University, Oral Roberts University, and Asbury Theological Seminary.
C. Michael Robbins (PhD, Claremont Graduate University) is an adjunct professor in the School of Theology at Azusa Pacific University.
Steven R. Johnson (PhD, Claremont Graduate University) is professor of religion at Lycoming College.